Roughly half of the deforestation that was avoided in Brazil's Amazon region from 2005-2009
was the result of governmental policies, according to a report released March 21 by the Climate
Policy Initiative. Meanwhile, "billions" of investment dollars are on hold as Brazil considers a
proposal governing land purchases, nearly two years after the country banned foreign investors
from buying large tracts of land, the Financial Times reported. Meanwhile, the alarming rate of
loss of Paraguay's Chaco Forest has also recently made headlines. What role should the state
play in regulating land usage? How can Latin American governments balance preservation of
unique environmental systems with economic growth?